Says he is trying to put his personal life back together

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David Letterman said the sex and blackmail scandal that rocked his family and left a CBS news producer facing prison "knocked me down," but expressed hope he can reclaim his family life.

Appearing on "Live with Regis and Kelly," the CBS late-night host said he hopes that life with his wife and young son can "even be better, in a different way" than before he admitted having sexual affairs with co-workers.

Letterman did not refer to the $2 million shakedown attempt that spurred him to acknowledge the affairs on his show last October. Former "48 Hours" producer Robert Halderman, 52, who claimed Letterman had an affair with his ex, pleaded guilty to blackmailing Letterman and will be sentenced next week. He faces up to six months in prison.

Halderman was accused of leaving a threatening package in Letterman’s car on Sept. 9 and demanding $2 million in hush money to keep secret evidence of the CBS “Late Show” host’s office hook-ups.

He was arrested after attempting to deposit the fake $2 million check after feds taped conversations between him and the late night comic’s lawyer, the Manhattan DA’s office said.